Two people cut off by the tide at Rodney Point, Exmouth were pleased to see the swift arrival of the Exmouth RNLI yesterday evening (Monday 6 July).

Portland Coastguards tasked the lifeguards and the inshore lifeboat (ILB) to the casualties. The RNLI lifeguards who patrol Exmouth main beach responded on the Rescue Water Craft (RWC), which they beached on the sand in order to check on the two people. Thankfully the man and woman were unharmed, but the lifeguards were able to reassure them and waited until the ILB arrived. Exmouth RNLI took the call from the coastguards at 5.44pm and the ILB volunteer crew were on scene by 5.50pm. Together the volunteer crew and lifeguards helped the couple, aged 18 and 24, into the ILB and the crew took the couple back to Exmouth where they were met by Exmouth coastguards.

Jo Damsell, Exmouth Lifeboat Press Officer said; “The man and woman had tried to scale the cliffs after the friend they were with managed to climb up. This proved difficult and they kept slipping down. Their friend who had made it up the cliff decided to ring the emergency services. He did the right thing by phoning as tides come in very quickly. If anyone finds they are cut off by the tide and have some way of alerting the emergency services, it is always best to ring 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

A little wet from their ordeal the couple thanked the RNLI and Coastguards for their swift response and were reunited with their friend.

Notes to editors

• Exmouth RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1858. To learn more about the lifeboat stations past and present go to www.exmouth-lifeboat.org.uk..
• Exmouth RNLI lifeboats had a busy start to the summer season with eight shouts in June. The inshore lifeboat (ILB) was tasked to seven of these and the All Weather lifeboat to two (one jointly with the ILB).
• In 2008, RNLI lifeguards in the south west, responded to 8,424 incidents on the beach, aiding 9,802 people and saving 39 lives.

RNLI media contacts

If you require further information, please contact Jo Damsell, RNLI voluntary Lifeboat Press Officer on 07551 635363 or JDamsell@aol.com or Amy Caldwell RNLI Lifeguard Press Officer on 07920 818 807.